More Plan D and more careful listening…

José Manuel Barroso is hoping next year will be kinder to him than 2005. His first year in office has seen the Portuguese European Commission president having to deal with the rejection of an EU constitution by two founding member states, popular protests against plans to liberalise the service sector and the failure of governments to agree a long-term community budget.

Presenting the Commission’s 2006 work plan to MEPs on 16 November, José Manuel Barroso began by admitting “2005 has not been an easy year for Europe”. He went on to outline the challenges ahead, which could help prove that “the European Union has never been as necessary as it is today”.

On the international economic stage, the EU would, he said, have a vital role to play in completing the Doha development trade round. Defending Europe’s recent offer to cut agricultural trade tariffs, Barroso rejected criticism from the US, Brazil and Australia: “Europe does not need more lectures from countries who close their markets to the poorest, indeed in some cases who keep tariffs on agricultural products higher than our own.”

A 2006 Commission proposal for an EU-wide energy policy meanwhile would show “what a remarkable accomplishment European integration is”. Following the French and Dutch constitution rejections, the Commission would push ahead with its “plan D for dialogue and democracy”, to show that “we are listening carefully to our citizens and…we are addressing their concerns”.

The president also promised to continue the fight against illegal immigration and terrorism, as well as further work to help consumers and small businesses.

But he cautioned that all the Commission’s plans for 2006 depended on “the common sense of the British presidency” to strike an agreement on the 2007-13 budget at the December summit meeting.